Farrell, 2nd Base, Baltimore Orioles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Curator: Here we have an intriguing artifact: a baseball card from the "Old Judge" series, circa 1888, featuring Farrell, a second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles. These were produced by Goodwin & Company, a cigarette manufacturer. Editor: There's something wonderfully evocative about the sepia tones. Farrell is caught in a mid-throw pose, gazing upwards, perhaps tracking the ball? It speaks to the fleeting nature of action, frozen in time. Curator: Yes, the photograph itself is quite remarkable considering the era. But consider the function of this card. It wasn't just about capturing an image. It was about creating a commodity, embedding Farrell’s likeness into the very fabric of consumer culture, alongside tobacco production. Editor: The iconography here is fascinating. The idealized athlete, elevated. Look at how the viewer is encouraged to literally look up to Farrell, making the simple act of admiring this player complicit with admiring "Old Judge" cigarettes. Curator: Precisely. The material dimensions also influence the artistic reading: consider how mass production affects perceptions of value and celebrity. These weren't unique artworks; they were churned out to promote consumption, to circulate representations of fame, of sport, to push product. Editor: And consider the symbolism attached to baseball itself. In 1888, baseball was emerging as a national pastime, embodying ideals of athleticism, teamwork, and American identity. This card connects Farrell to those potent ideas and associations. The very act of possessing his image could create a feeling of social integration and solidarity. Curator: We can see then the image, the production of it, is all feeding into this machine. The consumption and ritual attached to the everyday object is embedded with ideologies surrounding sport and consumerism. Editor: Examining this small artifact gives such insights. We can easily reflect how we create hero-like figures. To reflect how celebrity functions for us today in a world full of media.